ImprovingBirth

Advocating for respectful evidence-based care for all childbearing people http://improvingbirth.org

[improvingbirth]

What if your doctor or midwife suggests you have a "big baby"? Is an induction or c-section always necessary? . Get the facts on the "big baby" myth. Be informed! https://evidencebasedbirth.com/evidence-for-induction-or-c-section-for-big-baby . Link in profile through the weekend! #linkinprofile #linkinbio #csection #cesarean #evidencebased #labor #birth #research #beinformed #informedbirth #improvingbirth #ebb #evidencebasedbirth https://www.instagram.com/p/BtrBLmHDeh4/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=3k9c9sik3opi

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Wow! Such a stunning moment! . From @krishphotos: ・・・ ⁣Gold and the perfect Hue of Melanin⁣ ⁣ Focused my lens on @diamond_shanail & @_drewfit ⁣ ⁣ Thank you for allowing me to capture this moment for y’all. #blacklove https://www.instagram.com/p/BtmsjfFAzz0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1f2v6dulfazmk

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For those that had the support of a doula during a c-section, tell us about your experience. . Did you have any pushback when wanting your doula to be in the OR with you? . . . From Kate Pavlovsky/@katepavlovsky: “Last night, I had to sit outside this room and watch while a Cesarean was performed on a terrified new mother. It was like watching alien life forms that had abducted a human to probe her for research. No one was making eye contact with her or emotionally supporting her. ____________________________________ It was heartbreaking for me to watch as her husband left her side the minute their baby was born. Everyone just continued operating like a perfectly oiled machine. They were good at what they were doing- saving her life and her baby’s- but they weren’t considering her emotional state as an important part of the procedure. ____________________________________ This is what is wrong with our system. It isn’t empathetic toward our basic human emotional needs. Doulas can bridge this gap in maternal care. LET US DO IT! Don’t leave us weeping outside of OR doors, our souls ripped into two in a desperate attempt for our energy to reach the woman laying on the table, exposed and vulnerable. ____________________________________ Cesareans can be necessary and still be traumatic. Let’s try to avoid unnecessary trauma by inviting Doulas into the OR alongside dads. Birth trauma can cause breastfeeding issues, problems with mother-baby bonding, postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, and more. ____________________________________ The excuse “there isn’t room” doesn’t cut it. I’ve been in the OR to support a client WITH Dad also by her side. A smaller OR than this one happened to be. ____________________________________ Luckily, when Dad left this Operating Room with his newborn to practice skin to skin bonding, they invited me in to support my client through the remainder of the surgery. She was petrified. I gazed into her eyes, held her hand, stroked her hair, and listened to her impressions of the situation. I held space for her. I cared for her. After all, she just birthed a beautiful newborn baby and she deserved to feel safe and celebrated.” https://www.instagram.com/p/BtmsQ1UASo_/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=12rlv0nsa4p4g

[improvingbirth]

Let's hear from you. If you could go back in time, what would you tell your pregnant self about labor, birth, and your maternity care? https://www.instagram.com/p/BtBXBNEHNK5/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=10y9n67arkkh

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You can still make a difference in 2018! . It is not too late to help us reach our goal of raising $50,000 to fund the Mother-Friendly Hospital Accreditation Program. . DONATE HERE: http://bit.ly/2018-ib . Together we can make it happen! Change-makers just like you are supporting our movement through year-end donations. . With your support, we’re working every day to make birth safer by sharing information, raising awareness, supporting families in need of supportive providers, and working to build a hospital accreditation program that will ensure that we turn maternal healthcare into a conversation rather than a verdict. Will you help, too? A year-end contribution of $10, $25, or $50 will help us ensure safer birth for all families. . ~ The ImprovingBirth Board . DONATE HERE: http://bit.ly/2018-ib #linkinbio #linkinprofile https://www.instagram.com/p/BsET_jjHjvk/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1ljk7nbwycy01

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It’s okay to not be okay. . If you think you need postpartum support, please check out @PostpartumProgress and Postpartum Support International/@postpartumhelp: http://postpartum.net. . Organizations like @stillbirthday are also a wonderful place to connect with those experiencing the same things you are. . Our hearts go out to you. https://www.instagram.com/p/Br2w638jJI9/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=qxbdd46tbdvp

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It all started 7 years ago this week! . For holiday giving to our end-of-year campaign: http://bit.ly/2018-ib . #improvingbirth #linkinbio #linkinprofile https://www.instagram.com/p/Brk1kg4HBEG/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1g5rbn52is8ql

[improvingbirth]

#BALTIMORE, MD: Seeking suggestions for a caring and compassionate OB that will see someone post-cesarean section even though they were not the one to perform the surgery. Please tag the doctor or practice, or tag others who may have suggestions. You are welcome to DM us if you feel more comfortable doing that. Thank you! #maryland #birth #postpartum #csection #csectionrecovery https://www.instagram.com/p/BriYZZ3ngzb/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1t0kz25u87p7v

[improvingbirth]

From @dawntimprovbrth_: #letsstartthere #ImprovingBirth #motherfriendly https://www.instagram.com/p/BrhGLO0jXde/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1cpy9lflwbj7d

[improvingbirth]

Check 👏🏻 it 👏🏽 out! 👏🏿 $1 from every mug order will be donated by @wholemotherco to our organization! . . . From @wholemotherco: . 🎶 It’s the most wonderful time of the year 🎶 We’re sure, even from here in Sunny San Diego, that you all are feeling the holiday energy right now. ⛄️ 🎄 ❄️ Sometimes it can feel exciting and fun and sweet, and sometimes it can feel full and exhausting and overwhelming. Well, take a deep breath with us (breathe in-2-3-4, and out 2-3-4). This is a season of giving- not in order to just hurry around and check a box to say your shopping done, but to share love and care intentionally with others. We want to help you give thoughtfully this year! From now until 12/19 we’re offering you a BOGO deal! Buy One, GIVE One! When you buy an item in our shop, you’ll get 20% off another item (to gift to and encourage that special mom in your life- or keep for yourself!). You’ll be giving back to @improvingbirth AND gifting cute mugs, totes, and tanks to friends and family...definitely a win-win-win! Good work, mama! 🏆 Use coupon code BOGO20 at checkout until 12/19 to take advantage! Happy gifting!! 🎁 ☕️ 💃🏼 https://www.instagram.com/p/BrhEL73DI-R/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=rt7hwif5dyk3

[improvingbirth]

Yes, it is the holiday season for many of you. 🎄🌟🕯🎁📯☃️ 🥂🍾 Lots of celebrations going on, places to be, things to do. . Around the holidays in the U.S., the number of labor inductions soar. Undoubtedly the rise in inductions are not due to necessity, but quite often because of pressure from a provider or related to what is “convenient” for them and their schedule. . TRUTH: Babies do not know when it’s Christmas or Hanukkah or Kwanzaa or the solstice or New Year’s Eve. Get the facts so that you can make informed decisions about your body and your baby. Letting labor begin on its own is usually safest for moms and babies. You should not feel pressured to induce without medical necessity. . Below are some helpful links surrounding induction. . . . . Saying 'No' to Induction: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1595289 . Cytotec Induction and Off-Label Use: http://www.midwiferytoday.com/articles/cytotec.asp . Small Pelvis? Big Baby? The Truth about CPD: http://www.bellybelly.com.au/birth/small-pelvis-big-baby-cpd . The Evidence for Induction for Low Fluid: https://evidencebasedbirth.com/what-is-the-evidence-for-induction-for-low-fluid-at-term-in-a-healthy-pregnancy . The Evidence for Inducing Labor for Going Past Your Due Date: https://evidencebasedbirth.com/evidence-on-inducing-labor-for-going-past-your-due-date . The Evidence for Induction for Suspected Big Baby: https://evidencebasedbirth.com/evidence-for-induction-or-c-section-for-big-baby https://www.instagram.com/p/BrYWpwYnum8/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=35zcjw01a9ol

[improvingbirth]

Did you know? You can choose to remain anonymous when you make a donation to our #GivingTuesday fundraiser if that is something of importance to you. Please consider supporting ImprovingBirth today and help us in our mission to make birth safer. . Donate here: https://www.facebook.com/donate/450799755448406 #linkinprofile #linkinbio https://www.instagram.com/p/BqtO2c5n5C6/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1rk5k8j38wc02

[improvingbirth]

We are almost to 10% of our #GivingTuesday fundraising goal! Help us get to 50% by lunchtime. Share, repost, and invite your friends to match your contribution. https://www.facebook.com/donate/450799755448406 Link in profile! #linkinprofile #linkinbio #improvingbirth #maternitycare #respectfulcare #makeitthenorm #wecandobetter https://www.instagram.com/p/BqsEwpwHYIL/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=18at8bj65p5ps

[improvingbirth]

Today, on November 27th, we are joining a national day of generosity: #GivingTuesday. It’s a day when you can make a big impact on @ImprovingBirth and the birthing families we seek to support. With your help, we will raise funds to make birth safer. . While we have access to technology and hospitals, the healthcare system is set up to maximize profits and avoid litigation. We have heard many doctors say they “won't get sued if they do a cesarean.” So we find ourselves stuck in a cycle of unnecessary practices rooted in fear. Options that are safer for women and their babies are not always good business decisions for care facilities. . Your donations help us arm people with real tools to tell their story, to put pressure on the system to improve, and hold the medical community accountable. Your donations help women know their rights and to heal from past birth trauma. It helps us raise awareness so that future families can avoid the pitfalls of a system, where the 'First Do No Harm' principle may no longer apply if it puts hospitals and providers at an even slightly greater financial risk. . How can you be part of @givingtuesday? Here are a few simple ideas: . ~ Consider making a gift to ImprovingBirth on GivingTuesday (Link in profile!) ~ Join us as a volunteer: https://improvingbirth.org/volunteers ~ Help us get the word out on social media by sharing our Facebook fundraiser (Facebook is matching the first $2 million donated, starting at 12:01am Eastern!) and posts with the hashtag #GivingTuesday: https://www.facebook.com/donate/450799755448406 #linkinprofile #linkinbio ~ Take photos demonstrating why you love our organization and post on your own social media channels ~ Do something kind for another person . With your support, we can improve birth for all pregnant families. . Sincerely, Dawn Thompson on behalf of the board of ImprovingBirth . PS. The matching from @Facebook will likely go quickly so, donate now! Just click the link in our profile. https://www.instagram.com/p/BqrW3y9jbiF/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1c4jvlba45txg

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Wow! With every purchase of this shirt, @wholemotherco is donating to ImprovingBirth. How awesome is that?! . From @wholemotherco: You shop with us because $3 of each tank you purchase will go directly to a mother-friendly cause you care about. (Also, it’s a pretty cute shirt. And it goes with denim 😜) Current Campaign Recipient: @improvingbirth #improvingbirth #knowbetterdobetter #evidencebased #humanity #maternaljustice #giveback #momshop #motherfriendly #shoplocalsandiego #mommade #motherhood #momclub #momshirt #goodmom #wholemotherco #wholemotherlevel #thatwholemotherlife #thiswholemother #busymama #payitforward #raisingworldchangers https://www.instagram.com/p/BqlLV-rDRrk/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=l9seoqwo1k91

[improvingbirth]

On this Thanksgiving holiday, we are full of gratitude. . We are thankful for YOU, for those of you who find your voice and choose to share your story with us. Those who spread the word about evidence-based care during pregnancy, birth, and beyond. Those of you who support parents-to-be in their informed decisions. Those of you who choose to do better because of something you learned or read here. . We give thanks for each and every one of you. Thank you for your support. https://www.instagram.com/p/Bqgk8ElDAz0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=13f3f9cyu25ud

[improvingbirth]

Anytime you shop online, use our Amazon Smile link! http://smile.amazon.com/ch/46-1254884 . When you use our link, a small percentage of every purchase (pre-tax and rebates) will be donated to ImprovingBirth! It may seem like a small gesture, but if everyone uses our link, it could add up! You shop, and Amazon donates. . For day-to-day purchases or your holiday shopping, use http://smile.amazon.com/ch/46-1254884 to shop on Amazon. https://www.instagram.com/p/BqY5xxIjqTr/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1pkxm1tee6evg